Lakehurst Police Charge Additional Man In Stolen Lottery Ticket Case

Days after the first charges were issued to three Lakehurst men and a juvenile from Jackson, borough police on Wednesday also charged a Jackson man with allegedly attempting to cash in a stolen lottery ticket. 

Police allege that they witnessed Eugene Spear IV, 20, on surveillance video attempting to cash in a stolen ticket at a borough store, said Sgt. Ron Heinzman in a statement. 

"When the clerk realized the ticket was stolen, he/she asked [Spear] without telling him the ticket was stolen to fill out a New Jersey Lottery claim form," Heinzman said. "Spear filled the form out and even left a copy of his New Jersey driver's license at the store."

Officers Matthew Kline and Iain James arrested Spear in his Jackson home after finding him inside a bedroom closet, according to Heinzman, at which time he was taken into custody without incident. 

Spear was charged with receiving stolen property and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on $2,500 bail, no 10 percent option, set by Lakehurst Municipal Court Judge Damian Murray, Heinzman said. 

Lakehurst police first learned of individuals attempting to cash in stolen tickets last week at the Lucky 7 Deli and Market on Route 70. 

On Friday, July 27, two search warrants were executed by police at two Lakehurst homes, , according to Heinzman. 

Heinzman said that the state prohibits the department from releasing photographs of those charged.